Autoimmune Dysfunction Due to Severe Malaria

Division

West Florida

Hospital

Medical Center of Trinity

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

5-29-2022

Keywords

travel-related infection, infectious disease, plasmodium falciparum, severe plasmodium falciparum, pulmonary critical care, severe malaria, blackwater fever, cerebral malaria

Disciplines

Critical Care | Immune System Diseases | Infectious Disease | Internal Medicine | Parasitic Diseases

Abstract

Despite advances in treatment and prevention, malaria still carries significant morbidity and mortality. Cases of malaria in the United States are rare and cases of severe malaria, mostly attributable to Plasmodium falciparum, are even more uncommon. With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there have been distractions in evaluation and diagnosis leading to a rise in cases and deaths. We present a case of autoimmune dysregulation and blackwater fever secondary to severe malaria, requiring multiple courses of antimalarial therapy. Careful travel history and prompt recognition and treatment facilitates improved patient survival and recovery.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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